Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: Maggi Young on August 16, 2021, 03:24:31 PM
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On Sunday 15th August 2021, Dr James L. S. Cobb passed peacefully away after a long illness.
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James was a retired zoologist from St. Andrews University on the East Coast of Scotland and a great plantsman and grower and educator. Many of you will know him as the author of the excellent Meconopsis book published in 1989 and for his website Meconopsis World - A Visual Reference (https://meconopsisworld.blogspot.com/3000/)
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His dedication of his book to his wife is as apt today as when he wrote “For Calla, the perfect gardener’s companion” - James and Calla were a devoted couple, so very proud of their three daughters.
James had an interest in all sorts of plants and was successful in growing and showing many fine examples of plants that are not the easiest to please. His own garden at Kingsbarns could be very dry so when researching in meconopsis he took advantage of the three gardens of his daughters, spread around the country, to grow test beds of meconopsis to trial them in differing climates.
James was also an ornithologist - ringing birds and observing them - often in the company of one of his faithful dogs who were always called 'William', plus their number in the canine sucession - one of his charming eccentricities. He was very committed to these dogs, and they to him.
James was a complicated, quiet and kind gentle man of large intellect with a deep love for, and pride in, his wonderful wife and their family - a devotion amply returned.
He will be much missed by his family and indeed, all who knew him.
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James Cobb with his Forrest Medal winning Iris nusariensis at Stirling SRGC Show at Dunblane 2006
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James Cobb with his Forrest Medal winning Daphne petraea grandiflora at Perth SRGC Show 2006
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Sandy Leven with James Cobb at Perth Show 2009